From sitcoms to singing

Former sitcom writer Tracy Newman will make her audience smile Sunday at the Coffee Gallery

Tracy Newman is one folk singer who knows how to make her shows fun and uplifting, primarily because she spent decades in a prior career making America laugh as an Emmy-winning comedy writer.

Having co-written the classic sitcom episode of “Ellen” that featured its star, comedian Ellen DeGeneres, coming out as a lesbian, Newman soon co-created the long-running ABC hit “According to Jim” and rode that show’s success into retirement.

For the last few years, she’s been pursuing her passion as a singer-songwriter, leading the folk-pop group Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements through frequent performances across Los Angeles.

On Sunday, she’ll make yet another appearance at the Coffee Gallery in Altadena, playing songs from her two CDs “A Place in the Sun” and “I Just See You,” along with a combination of even newer songs and covers.

With her witty stories and fun tunes, a show with Newman is always a guaranteed good time.

Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements play at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. For more information, call (626) 798-6236 or visit http://tracynewman.com